Transcript Sexual harassment

The Problems of Security
Threat Groups in Michigan
Prisons: Implementation of a
Tattoo Removal Program
Siena Heights University
Sara L. Schmitz
Gang
• Defined as, “…a group, informal or formal
in nature, whose members recurrently
commit crimes and where these crimes
are openly known to the members, often
conferring status or profit upon those
members who commit the crime (Knox,
1994).”
Security Threat Group (STG)
• Defined as 1) “a group of prisoners
possessing common characteristics, which
distinguish them from other prisoners and
2) pose a threat to staff or other prisoners
or the custody and security of the
institution (Mulvaney, 2000).
The Differences?
• STG’s are only in correctional facilities, dealing
mainly with the threat to security and order of the
institution
• Gangs exist inside and outside of the prisons
• All gangs are STG’s, but not all STG’s are gangs
• The term “STG” is used to take away the
recognition and publicity the term “Gang” gives
• It is also used to encompass the many gangs and
extremist/radical, and religious groups into one
general term
• Every STG may not be a gang by definition
History of Prison Gangs
• The “Gypsy Jokers” started in 1950 in
Walla Walla, Washington
• Since then hundreds of different gangs
have emerged and over 12,000 members
have joined
History of Gangs (Cont)
In 1984:
• 20 out of 25 inmate homicides
• More than half of all prison disturbances
and problems were gang-related
In 1996:
• Prison disturbances soared by 400%
(This caused the emergence of many
states to take action concerning STG’s)
History of STG in MDOC
• December 16, 1996 – 1st
policy regarding the
identification and
management of STG’s in the
MDOC
• An STG Coordinator was
appointed at every facility in
the State of Michigan
• Since 1996, the MDOC has
been able to gain
information and track STG
members to a number of
activities in the prison
Gang Overview
• The problems they create extend into our
communities, therefore impacting all of
society
• Having contacts on the outside makes them
even stronger on the inside
• Participate in activities such as money
laundering, drug trafficking, and murder hits
• Prison gangs have lasting devastating
effects on our future society
STG vs. Non-STG
• STG members twice as likely to have more
misconducts
• STG members are LESS likely to participate in
rehabilitative programs
Problems They Create Inside
Prisons
• As STG membership grows, the more
powerful, dangerous and organized they
become
• Increased difficulty for staff to maintain order
• Engage in a variety of criminal activities,
leading to increased violence
• Turf Wars
• Secretiveness of activities because they are
always trying to get over on staff
Problems (cont)
• Gang Membership increases likelihood of
violence
– The more involved in the group, the more likely
to use violence to carry out groups mission.
• Propensity for violence varied with the
amount of time in gang
– Longer the membership less likely to commit
violent acts, because…
– More time = Leadership
Initiations
• New members have to prove their loyalty
through initiations
• Initiation – A rite, ceremony, or
instructions with which one is made a
member of a sect or society with a
particular function or status (Walker, 2005)
• Determines strength
– Mentally
– Physically
Types of Initiations
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Memorizing group’s rules
Enduring several beat downs
Assaults
“Blood-In, Blood-Out”
Drive-By Shootings
Intimidations
Tattoos
Initiations (Cont)
Drive – By Shootings
Prisoners Join Because…
They Need:
• Protection from predatory inmates
• Acceptance
• Financial Gain
• Increased Status
• Power
• Contacts in the free world for the drug trade
Or Because:
• They were recruited. Recruit prisoners with
short sentences.
STG Related Activities
• They are usually motivated by profits and
power
• Use absolute loyalty and secrecy of the
gang at ALL costs
• They are not concerned about physically
hurting staff or other prisoners in order to
get what they want
Types of STG-Related Activities
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Illegal Drug Trafficking
Protection Rackets
Strong Arming
Loan Sharking
Gambling
Weapons Production
– Shank - Prison slang for a homemade weapon made
out of any material that is sharpened on an edge or
sharpened to a point fabricating a weapon.
• Prostitution
• Initiate Riots or Disturbances
Product of STG Rivalries
Riot of 1995
• Occurred in August of 1995 at Gus
Harrison Correctional Facility
• The Gangster Disciples, Latin Kings, and
Vice Lords initiated it
• Started because of the hot summer temps
• Took over 3 housing units
• 37 staff seriously injured
The Five Largest STG’s in
Michigan
1)
2)
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5)
Gangster Disciples
White Supremacist/ Aryan Movement
Melanics
Vice Lords
Latin Kings
Gangster Disciples
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Currently 107 validated members
Formed by Larry Hoover in 1974
Rivals with “Peoples” Nation groups
Allies with Melanics and other “Folk”
nation groups
• Known for drug sales and distribution
• Slogans:
– “Six alive, Five Must Die”
– “6 Poppin, 5 Droppin”
Gangster Disciples (Cont)
• Symbols:
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Six pointed star
“74” or “GD” or “6”
Upward pitchforks
A heart with wings
Colors Black and Blue
White Supremacist Groups
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Currently 73 validated members
Quasi-Military Organization
Formed in retaliation of racial tensions
Made up of racial hate groups
Tainted ideals
Many sub-sects, members jump from group
to group under the White Supremacists
Organization
• Groups include KKK, Aryan Brotherhood,
Aryan Nations Skinheads, National Alliance
White Supremist Symbols
• Variation of Swastika,
National Alliance Symbol
• Neo-Nazi
• KKK
• Shaved Heads
• Lightening Bolt
• Letters “AB”
Melanics
• Began in prison system in 1983
• Formerly a Recognized Departmental
Religion disseminated in 2000 (quasi-Muslim
• Series of events surrounding members of
Melanics led to STG
• Militaristic Structure
• Only Known in the MDOC
• Aligned with Gangster Disciples
• Known for loan sharking and prisoner stores
Melanic Symbols
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Six pointed star with dot
Crescent moon
Rising Sun
Opened Book
Vice Lords
• Currently 41 validated members
• Founded in 1958 at an Illinois Boys
Reformatory
• Aligned with the “Peoples” Nation
• Known for drug markets and violent
activities
Vice Lords Symbols
• 5-Pointed Star-Love,
Truth, Peace, Freedom,
and Justice
• Colors Black and Red
• Playboy Bunny
• Letters “VL”
Latin Kings
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Currently 41 validated members
Chicago based formed in 1961
Aligned with “People” Nation
One of the most Violent Gangs, known for
correctional officer “hits”
• Also known for robberies, burglaries, weapons
trafficking, beatings, intimidations, and drive-by
shootings
• Aligned with Insane Unknowns, Spanish Lords,
and Vice Lords
• Rivals with Spanish Cobras
Latin Kings Symbols
•Colors Black and Gold
•Crown with three or five points
•Letters “LK”
•Teardrop under left eye
•Number “5”
•“Almighty King”
•Pyramid
Monitoring STG’s
• Currently the MDOC focuses on STG information
intelligence and monitoring
• Each Facility has an STG Coordinator who
oversees the whole process and designates
prisoners into STG I and STG II
• Effective monitoring assists in the prevention of
violence and ensures overall security in the
institution (Mulvaney, 2000)
Monitoring STG’s (cont)
• MDOC’s Methods
– Listening to suspected
members telephone calls
– Reading their
incoming/outgoing mail
– Network with local law
enforcement
– Stricter Rules
• More Shakedowns, Less
Visits, Job Assignments
Advantages of STG Monitoring
• Crucial to understanding the groups’ dynamics
• Assists in the prevention of contraband introduced
in to the facility
• Understanding violence related to turf disputes
• Deters other STG activities
• Helps staff recognize STG activities
• Helps staff know which groups are in conflict with
each other
• Even with all of the efforts the MDOC
currently puts forth, there is always room
for more!
• My Policy Recommendation is…
MDOC Tattoo Removal Program
(MDOCTRP)
• Designed for prisoners
that have renounced or
wishing to renounce
• Voluntary
• For any prisoner with a
STG-related tattoo
• Start out as pilot program
at the Adrian Facilities
until successful
evaluation
MDOCTRP (Cont)
Laser Treatments:
• Laser breaks up
pigments, making tattoo
fade
• Number of treatments
depends on size and
quality of tattoo
• Laser does hurt, feels like
rubber band snaps
• Allotment of 45 minutes
for each session
MDOCTRP (Cont)
Costs:
• Fairly Inexpensive program
– Grant Funding to buy laser equipment
• Working in Collaboration with:
– Volunteer Physicians for actual treatments
– Volunteer EMT’s for pre/post treatment
– State of Michigan provide medical supplies
MDOCTRP (Cont)
• Prisoners would be required to give back to
the community in one way or another,
depending on the amount of treatments
determines the number of hours of service
– Growing Flowers for Area Businesses
– Making cards and drawing pictures for elderly in
nursing homes
– Making stuffed animals for needy children
– Growing fruits and vegetable in garden and all
produce would go to local food banks
MDOCTRP Requirements
• Prior to the first treatment they must have
completed 15 hours, then for every
treatment, they must complete 5 hours
• Must have a job within the prison with 6
months of perfect time and attendance
• Must be misconduct free for 6 months, and
stay misconduct free during the treatments
MDOCTRP Requirements (Cont)
• Must renounce from their STG and be committed
to completely leaving the gang lifestyle
• Must have completed all of their educational and
parole requirements
• Must agree, in writing, to have no other tattoos put
on. If they do this is a ground for automatic
dismissal from the program
• Lastly, if they meet all of the above requirements,
they must completely fill out the attached contract
Program Evaluation
• After three years, program will be evaluated
• Prisoners – Units of Analysis
• Methods:
– Survey all people directly involved
– Total # of STG prisoners at both facilities
compared total # that utilized the program
– Review file of those who used program for # of
STG-related misconducts, activities, and
involvement before and after the tattoo removal